Howcast
The best source for fun, free, and useful how-to videos and guides.
Learn basic plumbing principles and repairs from Master Plumber John Wood in these Howcast videos.
Learn how to fix many bathroom plumbing problems yourself with the step-by-step instructions in this Howcast video series about bathroom repair.
You, too, can become a mattress professional — and get a good night’s sleep — with the advice in this Howcast video series.
Get all your questions about Christmas trees and Christmas decorations answered, and pick up a few new tricks, in this Howcast video series.
Whether you’re a cigar aficionado or just take the occasional puff, you’ll find something of interest in this cigar video series from Howcast.
Whether you’re a certified hoarder or are just messy, get things put away, organized, and under control with this Howcast series.
Stay safe on the road with the important information in this car and driver video series.
How does your garden grow? Everything — plants, flowers, vegetables — will grow better if you heed the gardening tips in this Howcast video series.
Whether you’re a beginner gardener or an experienced one, there’s something to learn in this Howcast video series about gardening tools and equipment.
Learn how to lead a more eco-friendly lifestyle with these Howcast videos featuring Alegre of Green and Greener.
Learn all about guns — from handguns and shotguns to Uzis and AK-47s — from Police Officer Keith Charley in these Howcast videos.
They say it’s your birthday! Have the most happy birthday ever with the tips in this birthday celebration video series from Howcast.
Get the lowdown on home appliances in this Howcast video series.
Check out all the ways you can make your home more beautiful with the home decorating advice in these videos.
If you’re a homeowner, you should educate yourself about home heating and air conditioning; this Howcast video series makes it painless.
Attention, homeowners: Don’t pay another repairman until you check out this video series on simple repairs you can make yourself.
Don’t wait until you’re burglarized or suffer a home invasion to check out the home security and safety advice in this Howcast video series.
Learn all about hot water heaters — gas, electric, tankless, indirect, solar-powered — from Winters Plumbing & Heating in this Howcast video series.
Learn how to do things better and faster around your home and garden with the tips and tricks in these Howcast videos.
Make house cleaning faster and easier with the tips and tricks in these videos.
Forget the car wash! Do your own car detailing using the car cleaning secrets in this Howcast video series.
Make your kitchen and bathroom sparkle with the cleaning tips, tricks, and techniques in these Howcast videos.
Turn your walls into works of art with these Howcast painting tutorials led by decorative artist Aliya Riaz.
Learn how to drive safely with the driving lessons in this Howcast video series.
Learn how to fold napkins into beautiful and creative shapes with the napkin folding instructions in these Howcast videos.
Bed bugs, stink bugs, pantry pests — whatever crawlers are creeping you out, entomologist Jeff White tells how to kill them in these Howcast videos.
Got a home infestation on your hands? Before you call the exterminator, try these solutions to rid yourself of insects, rodents, and more.
To save the planet, start with your house; this Howcast video series gives you tips on how to keep a green home.
Learn how to make your garden grow with the gardening tips in this video series from Howcast.
Make your life more eco-friendly with the green living tips in this Howcast video series. The environment will thank you!
You’ve got mail…that you need to pick up, send out, package, and so much more. These tips will help you get it done more easily.
Learn how to fix a leaky faucet and how to make many other plumbing repairs from master plumber Tim Flynn in these Howcast videos.
Learn about gun ownership in this Howcast video series about guns and ammunition.
Learn how to paint walls, ceilings, trim, molding and more from Brushed Interiors founder David Sartori in these Howcast videos.
Learn how to make a quilt with the quilting tips and techniques from Cathy Izzo in these Howcast videos.
Whether you want to keep a few chickens or start herding cattle, this Howcast animal farming video series will get you started.
Go green by learning how to reduce, reuse, and recycle just about anything; it’s all in these videos.
Learn about soldering irons, soldering guns, circuit boards, and more from Jeff Koskulics in these Howcast videos.
Learn how to take care of every kind of fish tank — saltwater, freshwater, reef — with the help of expert Joseph Caparatta in these Howcast videos.
Learn how to maintain your lawn and plant flowers, shrubs, and trees with the help of landscape designer Patrick Weisel in these Howcast videos.
Learn how to weld properly and safely with the step-by-step instructions from sculptor DeWitt Godfrey in these Howcast welding videos.
Stay safe during severe storms and hurricanes with videos on assembling emergency kits, building storm shelters, and more.
Create your own indoor Garden of Eden — or at least keep that fern from dying — with these container gardening videos.
Learn about home improvement and home decor from professional interior designer Blanche Garcia in these Howcast videos.
Spruce up your kitchen and bathroom with the easy and affordable renovation ideas in these videos.
The grass is always greener — in your yard, once you’ve discovered the lawn care tips and tricks in these videos.
Learn carpentry and how to do simple woodworking projects from furniture maker Robin Mierzwa in these Howcast videos.
We’ll get all your stuff boxed up and out the door in no time at all.
Make packing a bag less stressful with these tips, tricks, and checklists.
Brighten up a room with these painting and wallpaper tips.
Learn how to do lots of everyday tasks in a better, faster, and easier way with these creative shortcuts.
Start your own vegetable or flower garden today with these gardening videos on seeds and planting.
Make this annual chore less daunting with the cleaning tips and tricks in these videos.
No matter what you spilled on your clothes or furnishings, we can tell you how to get it out.
Don’t host another Thanksgiving without these tips and tricks.
Get your vegetable patch started with these gardening tutorials.
Learn how to choose wedding flowers and how to make some of the arrangements yourself from floral designer Sarah Brysk Cohen in these Howcast videos.
Whether you need a knife for hunting or cooking, Plaza Cutlery owner Dan Delavan helps you pick the right one in these Howcast videos.
Jazz up any room in your home with a little window dressing.
Instructions Step 1: Soak item Soak the stained item in the sink or basin of cool water for up to 30 minutes. TIP: If the item is a delicate fabric, you can also try soaking the stain with denatured alcohol, then flushing with white vinegar. Step 2: Treat with remover Treat the stain with the …
Instructions Step 1: Choose location Figure out where you want to hang the picture. Step 2: Determine wall type Determine what kind of wall you have. In general, most older, pre-World-War-Two homes have plaster walls, which can support thin nails. Most newer… TIP: Very new homes may have metal studs instead of wood. Slide a …
Instructions Step 1: Pull over & drink coffee At the first sign of drowsiness, pull over immediately and drink a cup of coffee. Step 2: Wait for caffeine to kick in Don’t get right back on the road; caffeine boosts a driver’s reaction times, but it takes 30 minutes to kick in. Instead, park someplace …
Instructions Step 1: Fill laundry basket Grab a laundry basket and run around the living room, tossing in everything that’s not where it’s supposed to be. Put the basket in a closet and shut the door. TIP: Open the windows. Research shows bright light gives the impression of cleanliness—even in a dirty room. Step 2: …
Instructions Step 1: Turn thermostat up/down Turn your thermostat up in the summer or down in the winter by just two degrees, and you’ll prevent hundreds of pounds of carbon dioxide from being released each year. TIP: Close doors to rooms that you are not using to maximize heating and air conditioning. Insulate windows and …
Instructions Step 1: Ventilate room Ventilate the room by turning on any fans and opening any doors or windows. Remove any items sitting on top of your toilet tank. Step 2: Put on gloves Put on the gloves. TIP: If you’re especially grossed out, or if you just want to look especially nutty, wear goggles …
Instructions Step 1: Put ice in pan Put ice in a metal pan and place it on top of the wax spill. Step 2: Chip away wax When the wax is frozen solid, remove the pan and chip away at the wax with a small hammer or dull knife. TIP: If you’re able to remove …
Instructions Step 1: Unplug iron Make sure the iron is turned off, unplugged, and completely cool. Step 2: Mix solution Mix a little dishwashing detergent into the bowl of water and dip a rag or old towel into the solution. Step 3: Rub soleplate Rub the “soleplate”—the metal bottom of the iron—to remove any baked-on …
Instructions Step 1: Place top of fitted sheet Stretch the top two corners of the fitted sheet over the two corners at the top end of the mattress. Step 2: Place bottom of fitted sheet Pull the sheet tight and stretch the bottom two corners over the bottom corners of the mattress. TIP: The fitted …
Instructions Step 1: Protect floor Put the piece of furniture on some newspaper or a drop cloth to protect your floor from paint. Make sure you’re in a well-ventilated location. Step 2: Remove hardware If the item has any hardware, unscrew and remove it now. Step 3: Remove grit Gently rub the surface of the …
Instructions Step 1: Remove lampshade Remove the lampshade from the lamp. Step 2: Place on side Place the lampshade on its side on the large sheet of paper, lining up its seam with the left edge of the paper. TIP: If your shade is much wider at the bottom than the top, place the shade …
Instructions Step 1: Ventilate room Ventilate the room by turning on any fans and opening any doors or windows. Step 2: Put on gloves Put on rubber gloves. Step 3: Clean drain Remove any hair from the drain. Step 4: Apply cleaner If your tub is porcelain or coated with enamel, apply a mildly abrasive …
Instructions Step 1: Check label Check the “proper care” label of the garment for any specific instructions. TIP: It’s a good idea to hand-wash knit items that have buttons, sequins, beading or other adornments, as they can be easily damaged in a washing machine. Step 2: Fill sink Fill the sink or basin with cool …
Instructions Step 1: Ventilate room Ventilate the room by turning on any fans and opening any doors or windows. Step 2: Put on gloves Put on your gloves. Step 3: Remove shower items Remove any soaps, shampoos, razors, or mats from your shower. Step 4: Wipe down doors Wipe down the shower doors with a …
Instructions Step 1: Immediately blot the stain — don’t rub it, blot it — with paper towels. Start from the outer edges of the stain and work your way in. TIP: If you don’t have anything else on hand, pour a thick layer of salt on the stain to keep it from setting. When you …
Instructions Step 1: Fill the plastic bag with ice and seal it. Step 2: Pick up the bag of ice using the towel to keep your hands from freezing. Step 3: Hold the ice against the gum until it freezes—about 15 minutes. TIP: If you can, put the entire gummed-up article in the freezer for …
Instructions Step 1: Check floor Make sure your floor is sealed. If it’s not, it’s probably waxed and shouldn’t be mopped. Check by rubbing a finger across it. If you don’t leave a smudge, the floor is probably sealed. Step 2: Vacuum floor Vacuum or sweep the floor free of dust and particles. Step 3: …
Instructions Step 1: Blot up coffee Use a cloth or two to blot up as much of the coffee as you can. Remember: Blot, don’t rub. TIP: It’s easier to get rid of the spot if you act as soon as possible—preferably while it’s still wet. Step 2: Mix solution Mix the warm water, dishwashing …
Instructions Step 1: Vacuum floor Vacuum your floor thoroughly to remove any loose dirt or grime. Step 2: Mix solution For an unsealed floor, mix the vinegar into the bucket of warm water. For a sealed floor, mix the mild soap into the water instead. TIP: Sealed tile floors should be waxed once a year …
Instructions Step 1: Check label Check the label on the pants for proper care instructions, then heat the iron on the appropriate setting. TIP: For wool pants, put a clean, damp cloth—called a “pressing cloth”—between the iron and the fabric so the iron doesn’t cause a permanent shine, and press the iron against the pants …
Instructions Step 1: Separate clothes Separate your clothes into whites, light colors, delicates, and darks. Step 2: Check clothes Tie ties, zip zippers, and check your pockets to make sure they don’t contain anything like money, candy, or lipstick. Step 3: Check labels Check your labels to see if any of your garments need special …
Instructions Step 1: Place hands Place your hands in the adjacent corners of a shorter edge of the sheet, so your fingertips are at the end of the seams. Step 2: Tuck two corners Bring your hands together and tuck one corner into the other. They should be aligned and fit quite naturally. Now hold …
Instructions Step 1: Strip down lamp Unplug the lamp and remove its shade, harp, and bulb. Step 2: Remove covering With the folded blanket or towel beneath it, turn the lamp on its side and peel back or remove any felt covering the base. Step 3: Loosen screw Turn the lamp right side up and …
Instructions Step 1: Pick a time Pick a time to wash your windows when the sun isn’t hitting them directly. Step 2: Mix solution In the bucket, mix a solution that’s one part water to one part vinegar. Step 3: Wipe window Dip a sponge into the solution, squeeze out the excess, and wipe the …
Instructions Step 1: Arrange pillowcase Arrange the pillowcase lengthwise in front of you on the flat surface with the closed end at the top and the open end at the bottom (nearest to you). Step 2: Fold left side Fold the long left edge of the pillowcase just past the center of the pillowcase, lining …
Instructions Step 1: Lay towel lengthwise Lay the towel so it is lengthwise in front of you. TIP: It can be faster to fold large towels holding them in front of you, folding them against your chest. Step 2: Fold left edge Fold the left edge of the towel just past the center of the …
Instructions Step 1: Unscrew seat Unscrew the seat from the chair and set the screws aside. Step 2: Remove old seat Remove the old seat covering by using pliers or the claw end of a hammer to remove the nails, tacks, or staples holding it in place. Don’t rip the cover off, you’ll need it …
Instructions Step 1: Test table Place a drop of liquid detergent on a cotton cloth dampened with warm water to test the table first. Test in a small, inconspicuous place — like along the edge of the table or at a corner. Step 2: Create solution If there is no noticeable damage or discoloration to …
Instructions Step 1: Read directions Read the silver cleaner’s packaging and follow those directions if they vary from these. Step 2: Rinse silver Rinse the silver item in warm water. Step 3: Spread paste Put a dab of silver cleaning paste onto a soft cloth and spread it over the surface of the item. TIP: …
Instructions Step 1: Check if your item is made of finished leather. To check if your item is made of finished leather, lightly scratch it in an inconspicuous place—if the scratch is roughly the same color as its surroundings, it’s finished leather. : Make sure your product is made of finished leather before proceeding. If …
